The plan to change the heating system from steam to low-temperature hot water will save $750-million over 40 years, says Public Services and Procurement Canada.

PSAC alternate regional executive vice-president Alex Silas speaks to about 30 people at a rally on Sparks Street against the government's plan to privatize the modernization and maintenance of the heating and cooling system for 80 area buildings. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

The Public Service Alliance of Canada is pressuring the government to drop its plan to contract out work on five heating plants that serve more than 80 buildings in the National Capital Region, saying that the proposed public-private partnership compromises health and safety, promotes precarious work, and could cause environmental issues.

Gerald Butts has removed himself from the daily political grind of strategizing how to keep the Liberals in power. But observers say it's unlikely he will be consigned to watch the campaign unfold from the sidelines.

SNC-Lavalin risks a takeover if it's convicted. But aside from likely outrage in Quebec, Ottawa can find other builders for its infrastructure plans if the company is banned from bidding on federal contracts, experts say

The Quebec company had extensive access to government ministers and top staffers, and was the only organization registered to lobby for allowing deferred prosecution agreements for white collar crimes.